The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-07-07

in ole Nirginny, aud given to Martha to
hand her master for the post, 1t was our
last glimpse of old Martha.
The next morning the neighborhood was
in blaze Of excitement. Andy, the Kirbys'
coachman, and old Martha had decamped.
How or when they had escaped none knew,
but it was fair to suppose that they were
already safely sheltered on the Kansas
shore The aggravation seemed greater
from the fact that the Kirby servants were
exceptionally we'll treated and regarded
with family affection. A currant bush that
stood by the wicket between our house and
theirs was found to have some thing white
Tutoring among the leaves. IL was the
letter which my sister had written the night
before, and which old Martha in her haste
and excitement had dropped before she
reached her masters house. Then the full
storm OF wrath was turned upon us. Enter
ing my fathers office. Richard Kirby de-
nounced our whole family for conspiring to
assist runaway negroes. Enraged at my
sisters refusal OF his hand and feeling that
it was through my fathers influence, he was
eager 10 provoke a quarrel. Drawing his
bowie knife, weapon with which all Mis-
solrians were then armed. a fearful tragedy
ference of the bystanders. Thwarted in
this, he strobe through the crowd that had
gathered muttering vengeance. The fol
lowing day he was enrolled upon the list
that sent so many martyrs TO the lost cause.
A company of men were already drilling
in an open lot on the outskirts Of the town,
without, as yet, any regularly appointed
officers. When it was known that Richard
Kirby had enlisted, shout went mp Our
Captain, our Captainm He was received
with demonstrations of joy, aud when he
counseled an immediate departure to join
the forces OF Price, they gave the widest
cheers.
1t was decided that upon the arrival of
the next boat this newly organized COM
pany OF raw recruits would embark. with
Richard Kirby as first officer. He knew
the sullen Indignation with which this
move would be regarded by every Union
man, and he gloried in it, but had he
known with what a throe OF anguish this
news was received by ny sister Jane. his
impetuous nature would have forgye all
the past, and he again would have been the
suppliant lover.
Nv sister went about the house with eyes
strained towards the distant hills for the
first white wreaih OF smoke which should
herald the approach OF the coming steamer
There was always an uncertainty Of some
hours regarding the arrival OF these West
ern vehicles OF travel, and / knew by the
white, tense closing of her lips that the sus
pense was more dreadful than the frs
shock had been. Finally, upon the clear
MONDAY air the shrill whistle sounded
The little village was alive in an instant
The leyee was crowded with men, womer
and children, while the negroes stole sur
reptitious glances around the corners o
fences and corn-cribs. The boat rounded t,
the shore as the company went marching
down the single street, with its red an,
white silken banner, the work of fair rebe
hands, floating in the sunshine. Men o
pronounced Union sentiments were con
spicuous by their absence, and a strang
quiet was over all. We stood upon blui
| which commanded view OF the Who'll
scene, although knowing that our figure
would be thrown in silhouette against tn
clear sky, as q background. My sister
pride came to her aid and she made no moan
| think she had felt that Richard would re
lent at the last, and send her some token 0
reconciliation, but he did not. In anticipa
ton of this she had formed rosette OF re
and white ribbons, which, with long fioatin